Vintage Oldsmobiles Curved Dash, Limited Touring, Models 40, 53, 66; Series 60, 70, 90

1949 Olds 88 distributor

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Old June 23rd, 2021, 08:43 AM
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1949 Olds 88 distributor

Hi everyone, I sent my original Delco 1110814 distributor to https://www.northstarautoelectric.com for service. I've had them do work in the past and was very pleased with the results and customer service. My distributor has been a bear to make right, because tech specs weren't available to Northstar, so I ordered a rebuilt distributor from Fusic http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts....s.asp?dept=480. What I got was a different distributor than my original. Fusic sent Delco 1110817. A little research shows that my original 1110814 was superseded by 1110817. http://www.delcoremy.com/find-a-part...etails/1110814
Ive got no issues using the rebuilt replacement, but I'd like to hear from anyone that has had both units. The internals are different. Very different. Why? What was the problem with the early model?
Thanks for the feedback.
Nathan
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Old June 23rd, 2021, 09:57 AM
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Didn't your original have that octane selector plate? Does the new one have that?

My guess is the mechanical advance mechanism may be different.
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Old June 23rd, 2021, 10:16 AM
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No octane selector plate on the original. The differences are with the mechanical advance. The early distributor uses different internals for sure. I don't know what's what inside but I'll post pics with the differences asap
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Old June 24th, 2021, 06:58 AM
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let ne try and answer this, a little handy caped today, any first generation distributor between 1949 and 1956 will interchange There are differences but all will work Just fine 1956 being the best because of the dwell window adjustment in the cap. Unless this is a concourse car no one will know the difference. Hell they won't know the difference at a concourse...... Tedd
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Old June 24th, 2021, 09:36 AM
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I put a 56 distributor in my 54 and it was a great improvement. I hate those old distributors. They are a PIA.
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Old June 29th, 2021, 11:47 AM
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You can even use the distributor out of 371 or 394 if you swap the drive gear.
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Old June 30th, 2021, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 57JoeFoMoPar
You can even use the distributor out of 371 or 394 if you swap the drive gear.
thanks great info to know! Thanks. When I get home from a business trip I hope my distributor is waiting for me! It will FINALLY be time to drive!
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Old June 30th, 2021, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by maineolds
thanks great info to know! Thanks. When I get home from a business trip I hope my distributor is waiting for me! It will FINALLY be time to drive!
The earlier distributors use a "single D" oil pump drive whereas the later engines have a hex oil pump drive. Just drive the pin out with a punch, swap the gear, and hammer in a new pin. The factory pin will be solid, but a basic roll pin will work just fine and is an acceptable replacement, as it is an acceptable replacement for a SBC.

I used the distributor from a '61 394 in the '55 324 in my '56 Holiday 98, which had a Pertronix already in it. To be on the safe side, I put a small roll pin within the bigger roll pin when I swapped the drive gears and put a tack on it with a TIG. 7000+ miles so far so good.
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